'Drink To Save A Dog': Rescue Seeks Aluminum Can Donations

ROMEOVILLE, IL — At the impressionable age of 24, Romeoville resident Daniel Pomatto encountered the selfless love humans share with animals for the first time, when he rescued a puppy from the streets in 2011 and reunited it with its family.

Today, he is the proud owner of Mama Zoey & Puppies Rescue, and to continue his philanthropic work with dogs, he is asking residents to collect aluminum cans that he can sell at the scrapyard.

"What we do is we collect the cans for a couple pennies per can. Instead of the Waste Management making money, we'll end up taking the money and putting it towards a medical bill or something else for the dogs," Pomatto said. "If people are going to drink, it might as well be for a cause, and they can drink to save a dog."

Residents can notify the rescue they have cans, and it will collect the cans from individual homes. Those donating will also be provided with a tax write-off.

Mama Zoey & Puppies Rescue opened in 2014 when Pomatto and his wife, Kendall, took in Zoey, a stray in Will County. She was very far along in her pregnancy, and shelters did not want to incur added cost of the puppies.

When the couple heard about her possible euthanization, they opened their doors to her. On July 4, she gave birth to 11 healthy puppies.

"That is how we got started. I'm also adopted. So this is a personal thing for me. I had lovely parents who gave me a second chance," Pomatto said. "Being able to take something that has nothing and give them everything is an amazing feeling."

The rescue is dependent on foster families in the area taking care of dogs until they find their forever homes. Pomatto said he is very thorough and conducts rigorous checks before allowing a family to take home a pet. Even the slightest red flag can interfere with the application process.

Pomatto said monetary donations help cover bills. and sometimes people also donate food and blankets, along with cleaning supplies. They also organize several fundraisers and attend adoption events during the year. Although these cannot be achieved during the current pandemic, he said they have successfully gotten most of their dogs adopted.

"This work just gives me a feeling of happiness that money can't buy," he said. "And I would love to do more stuff in the community. I guess what I can say is I’m living a dream. I’m just a guy with a huge heart and want what’s best for the dogs — and with my community behind me, we can make dreams come true."

To see how you can help, visit the website or Facebook page.

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